Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed group associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), fatally shot two police officers on Saturday along the old Gariki Road in Okigwe Council Area of Imo State.
Narrating how it happened, the command said the gunmen threw dynamite at the officers while on security patrol. Two of the officers were killed and four officers survived the attack after an exchange of gunfire with the attackers.
According to the command, “The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has condemned the attack and gruesome murder of personnel of Mopol 18, Owerri, by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN). The officers were ambushed in the early hours of today, 23/03/2024 while on patrol duties along old Gariki Road Okigwe by the disgruntled elements who threw dynamite on the officer’s patrol vehicle and engaged them in a protracted gunfight. In the process, two officers paid the ultimate price while four others survived the attack.
“On receipt of the ugly incident, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma* alongside Commander Mopol 18 and 64, immediately led operatives of the Command’s Special Tactical Unit to the crime scene for on-the-spot assessment and tasked the operatives to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attack.
“More so, CP Aboki Danjuma has mandated the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge Okigwe, the DPO, and other Tactical units deployed in Okigwe to embark on visibility patrol, intelligence-led raids of criminal hideouts, and place watertight security to forestall any future occurrence.”
“The CP calls on the general public particularly the residents of Okigwe who may have any useful information that may assist the Police in the investigation to kindly do so by reporting at the nearest Police Station or via via 08034773600, 08103341610. He urges the residents to go about their lawful business without any form of fear or intimidation and not panic at the sight of the massive deployment of security operatives in Okigwe. He urged them to support the Police and other security agencies in the onslaught against violent crimes in the State
“While empathizing with the families, friends, and loved ones of the deceased officers, the Commissioner of Police reiterates in strong terms that the Command under his watch would not condone any form of attack on security personnel in the State. He assures them that the Command would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the perpetrators of this dastardly act are all arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the command said.
